Calls for a European army are growing louder, but NATO’s top official says one country makes that impossible

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning to European lawmakers this week, arguing that any effort to build a military force independent of the United States is unrealistic. Speaking before the European Parliament’s defense and foreign affairs committees, Rutte said Europe lacks the capabilities needed to defend itself without American support.

As reported by Politico Europe, Rutte pushed back forcefully against growing calls for a standalone European army. He warned that removing the United States from Europe’s defense structure would create dangerous gaps that European nations are not prepared to fill.

Rutte also cautioned that pursuing a separate military framework outside NATO would weaken collective defense rather than strengthen it. He said the idea risks undermining the alliance’s effectiveness at a time when security threats remain high.

Europe going solo would come at an enormous cost

Rutte dismissed the concept of a European army detached from NATO, calling it an “empty word” that ignores hard realities. He argued that building parallel military structures would result in unnecessary duplication and wasted resources, while potentially emboldening Russian President Vladimir Putin, a dynamic reflected even in recent domestic debates like the GOP’s reaction to Trump’s new oil plan in Washington discussions about foreign leverage with Venezuelan interests.

Cost remains the biggest barrier. NATO allies have pledged to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, but Rutte said that would still fall short if Europe tried to replace U.S. military capabilities. He estimated that fully compensating for American assets, including the nuclear deterrent, would require closer to 10 percent of GDP, translating into billions of euros in additional spending.

Rutte’s comments come amid recent tensions within the alliance. President Donald Trump has made repeated threats involving Greenland, suggesting the United States could seize the self-governing Danish territory by force and impose tariffs if European countries deploy limited troops there. Despite the rhetoric, Rutte told lawmakers that Washington remains fully committed to NATO’s collective defense, stressing that the United States continues to need the alliance.

He also credited Trump with pushing NATO members to meet long-standing defense spending targets. Rutte said several countries would not have increased their budgets from around 1.5 percent to 2 percent of GDP without U.S. pressure, specifically naming Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Canada.

Rutte also weighed in on a proposed €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine. Some member states, led by France, want the funds restricted to European defense suppliers. Rutte opposed that approach, arguing it would hinder Ukraine’s ability to meet immediate military needs and pointing to broader debates over government priorities similar to how Democrats are shifting positions after recent U.S. shootings and federal responses.

He said Europe’s defense industry cannot currently supply nearly enough equipment for Ukraine, warning that rigid “buy EU” rules would slow critical support. While the proposal allows Kyiv to purchase non-European weapons in urgent cases with EU approval, Rutte urged lawmakers to prioritize flexibility.

The European Parliament fast-tracked the loan last week, with funding expected to last until 2027. Rutte dismissed suggestions that disputes over Greenland affect Ukraine’s security, reiterating that Europe’s focus should remain on close cooperation with the United States and addressing immediate defense requirements.